THE REAL CHASTER
charice life story
My first time singing at age 4 was a funny experience. My mom had gone to the dry market to buy food for lunch. Since I was alone at the house, I decided to climb on a table. I operated the karaoke and played the first song that I learned, My Heart Will Go On. I was in the middle of the song, when my mom came in but she went straight to the kitchen. So I continued singing wondering whether she would stop to watch me. i’d probably stopped by that time because i’m such a shy person. I didn’t realize that my mom went to the kitchen just to talk to my auntie, and she was giggling but proud saying, “Oh my God! Charice is singing!” The moment i saw them really happy, i suddenly got nervous and scared.
My mom started to teach me how to sing properly. She knows everything because she was a vocalist of a band. It was pretty hard to be a student of my own mom. I wasn’t sure what to do. However, at some point, I had to do my best. I felt that she was really counting on me, like she was thinking that i will be the next Her. She trained me for like 2 to 3 years. She’s been so strict but really worth it.
When i was 7, my mom asked me if i wanted to join some amateur singing contest here in the Philippines. I was scared but i answered Yes. She picked a song for me. I was so nervous; that was my first ever singing competition. Me legs were shaking. And now, the emcee called my name. I walked out from the backstage, and i saw the people were looking at me. I just closed my eyes and remembered what my mom told me, “Don’t ever look to their eyes. Just feel your song, and focus!. But still, you have to act that you’re talking to them, Singing is like Acting too..” The song started to play. I was so shocked with the reaction of the audience! They loved my performance! I was so happy by that time, seeing my mom teary eyed like she’s very very proud. After the performance, the part i hate most; Announcing the winner! i was staring at my mom and praying at the same time. The emcee called the 3rd placer, It was not me. And now, the 2nd placer; It was me! Well not bad for a first timer! Mom was so happy. Got a lot of prizes and went back home really happy.
After that first experience, i competed 80+ singing contests in the Philippines. Then one day when we were watching T.V, we saw a commercial for a sort of “American Idol” singing competition in the Philippines. My mom and I decided to join to the contest. We just thought, that’s my chance to be known in the Philippines because i’ve been dreaming to be famous here in the Philippines like forever. We went to the venue and did an audition. The judges looked so serious. I got nervous when it was my turn. I sang a Whitney Houston song. And luckily they loved it! They told me that they were going to call me up to schedule me for the final screening.
After weeks, they called me. They told us that i was going to be on the next episode of the contest. My mom was so nervous by that time. She couldn’t even say a word.
We just prepared everything that we needed for the competition, and my mom went to my room and gave me a hug, a Good Luck hug.
The next morning, we were all ready to go to the studio for the first round of the competition. I saw the other contestants. They were looking at me like they were going to bite me or something! The director called me and told me to go the make-up room and get done. So i did. I felt it, it was coming.. few hours left and it was finally my turn. The director saw me and we went to the backstage.
The host called my name finally. Number 1, Charice Pempengco. I walked up on the stage and started to sing. I was a little bit sad, because i felt that i didn’t impress the judges. They gave a score 91. I was so shocked; that was a big score! Then the director shouted. “CUT!” I went to my mom and hugged her. And now it was number 2’s turn. He sang a big Josh Groban song. He was really awesome but it was the saddest day right after the judges revealed his score. It was 92. Just a point. I was so depressed. I just thought that i can’t help my family anymore. We went back home so sad. I lost hope and everything. Every night i was telling God that maybe he was sleeping that he couldn’t hear me. My mom was playing my favorite song almost every day just to cheer me up. But i couldn’t talk or smile.
As the months went by, I didn’t realize, that God was waiting for the right time. I just thought about it. Some stranger posted my video on YouTube, and the Producers from Sweden saw it and they invited me to come there and sing some demos. Though it was really a big opportunity, i didn’t even think about me being recognized after that. I went to Sweden and recorded some songs. Stayed for like a week and went back home. After that, as expected, nothing happened to me. I waited for how many months. And i lost hope again. 2007, i met the guy who posted my video, Dave Duenas is the name. And we’re friends now. One time, a Big show in Korea emailed my friend Dave and told him they want me to be on their show. We were so happy but we never thought any lucky chance. I went there with my mom. And the Koreans went Ga-ga over my performance and i got recognized in Korea. But still, i couldn’t believe that they really knew who i was. Not until Ellen DeGeneres saw my video and invited me on her show. That was such an amazing experience. My mom and i were so happy when we first came to Los Angeles. We couldn’t believe it! I got standing ovation on Ellen’s show and she gave me an iPod. One night i talked to God, and was thanking him.. Realized that he was not sleeping. LOL.
The next morning, someone called my mom, since we weren’t good in speaking English at that time, my mom didn’t understand what were they saying, so i grabbed the phone and talked to them. They asked me if i’m Charice. “Yes!” with an excited expression. Now i couldn’t move when they told me that Oprah Winfrey wants me to be on her show. Oprah is my favorite talk show host! We flew in to Chicago and performed there. Got standing ovation and Oprah cried.
I woke up early with a smile on my face. We were going back to the Philippines in a few hours! We went straight to the airport, checked in and went to the gate. Finally we were on board. But we got nervous when the two policemen got in the plane and asked for Raquel Pempengco, my mom. We didn’t know what to do. We just raised our hands. They told us to get out in the plane, and so we did. They asked my mom if my mom’s working for HARPO. She said No. They asked me if i’m special or famous or whatever; i said No. They asked me a one liner question. “Then why Oprah wants to see you?” I got chills! But my mom was crying and asked me, “Did you break the doll of Oprah?” I said definitely No! The Policemen guided us going to the car waiting outside the airport going back to the Harpo studio. We were thinking what’s gonna happen.
Then we made it to the Harpo. The staff told us to go to the conference room. We went there and ate some snacks. Then someone opened the door and said hi to me. It was Oprah. She sat in front me and talked to me. I told her the story of my life. And i told her that i’m losing hope. But she told me to stop and let her talk. She told me the most amazing words ever. “Don’t lose hope, i promise you, something big will happen.” Mom and i cried. We felt it. That was it. The chance we’re waiting for so long. Oprah gave us something we could use on our way back to the Philippines.
My mom was still shocked when we got back to the Philippines. While me, i was looking for my “Dream Journal Drawing Book.” I love to draw. this is my drawing book with celebrities inside singing with me. I was telling myself that i could send it to Oprah. And i did. My mom did.
A few days later, Oprah’s crew called me and they told me to go to New York for some interviews and stuff. We went there and met the other people of Oprah. I was sitting while they were trying to set up the camera. Few minutes passed. Someone was calling. I can’t answer it but they told me to pick up the phone. So i did. A big voice talked looking for… me. It was Andrea Bocelli and invited me to be part of his Birthday Party. I cried. And i remembered that my 1st page on my dream journal was to have a duet with Andrea Bocelli. I thought that Oprah was making my dreams come true. After Andrea Bocelli, Oprah Invited me again on her show. I sang the first song that i’ve learned. And it’s a Celine Dion song, My Heart Will Go On. After the song, Oprah talked and told the people that a working mother with a seven year old son was watching via satellite. I looked back to see Celine Dion. She invited me on her concert at Madison Sq Garden. And she wanted to dedicate the song for my mom. Celine and I sang together in front of 20,000 people watching. I didn’t know what to think by that time. I just gave my best. And the 20,000 people gave a standing ovation for us.
The people who watched the concert uploaded the video Duo on YouTube and reached 4 million views. It was the happiest! After all these, i met my other favorite singers, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and it was all in my DREAM JOURNAL DRAWING BOOK. Thanks to Oprah.
After those big Gigs, we went back to the Philippines, never thinking that now every person in Manila knows me. I was like, “This is my dream. finally.” Got a lot of guestings on T.V and everything. But still, My family and I always have time to bond.
Last night, before i went to sleep, I talked to someone. Felt sorry in the first place that i was blaming Him. But very Thankful that He did those things to me. You know, Losing hope. He gave a gift for me to use it not only for me, family, but for all the People. Use it to inspire everyone. Now everyone’s asking me, “Where did that voice came from?” Well i guess there is only one answer.
And it’s a Gift From Him.
My mom started to teach me how to sing properly. She knows everything because she was a vocalist of a band. It was pretty hard to be a student of my own mom. I wasn’t sure what to do. However, at some point, I had to do my best. I felt that she was really counting on me, like she was thinking that i will be the next Her. She trained me for like 2 to 3 years. She’s been so strict but really worth it.
When i was 7, my mom asked me if i wanted to join some amateur singing contest here in the Philippines. I was scared but i answered Yes. She picked a song for me. I was so nervous; that was my first ever singing competition. Me legs were shaking. And now, the emcee called my name. I walked out from the backstage, and i saw the people were looking at me. I just closed my eyes and remembered what my mom told me, “Don’t ever look to their eyes. Just feel your song, and focus!. But still, you have to act that you’re talking to them, Singing is like Acting too..” The song started to play. I was so shocked with the reaction of the audience! They loved my performance! I was so happy by that time, seeing my mom teary eyed like she’s very very proud. After the performance, the part i hate most; Announcing the winner! i was staring at my mom and praying at the same time. The emcee called the 3rd placer, It was not me. And now, the 2nd placer; It was me! Well not bad for a first timer! Mom was so happy. Got a lot of prizes and went back home really happy.
After that first experience, i competed 80+ singing contests in the Philippines. Then one day when we were watching T.V, we saw a commercial for a sort of “American Idol” singing competition in the Philippines. My mom and I decided to join to the contest. We just thought, that’s my chance to be known in the Philippines because i’ve been dreaming to be famous here in the Philippines like forever. We went to the venue and did an audition. The judges looked so serious. I got nervous when it was my turn. I sang a Whitney Houston song. And luckily they loved it! They told me that they were going to call me up to schedule me for the final screening.
After weeks, they called me. They told us that i was going to be on the next episode of the contest. My mom was so nervous by that time. She couldn’t even say a word.
We just prepared everything that we needed for the competition, and my mom went to my room and gave me a hug, a Good Luck hug.
The next morning, we were all ready to go to the studio for the first round of the competition. I saw the other contestants. They were looking at me like they were going to bite me or something! The director called me and told me to go the make-up room and get done. So i did. I felt it, it was coming.. few hours left and it was finally my turn. The director saw me and we went to the backstage.
The host called my name finally. Number 1, Charice Pempengco. I walked up on the stage and started to sing. I was a little bit sad, because i felt that i didn’t impress the judges. They gave a score 91. I was so shocked; that was a big score! Then the director shouted. “CUT!” I went to my mom and hugged her. And now it was number 2’s turn. He sang a big Josh Groban song. He was really awesome but it was the saddest day right after the judges revealed his score. It was 92. Just a point. I was so depressed. I just thought that i can’t help my family anymore. We went back home so sad. I lost hope and everything. Every night i was telling God that maybe he was sleeping that he couldn’t hear me. My mom was playing my favorite song almost every day just to cheer me up. But i couldn’t talk or smile.
As the months went by, I didn’t realize, that God was waiting for the right time. I just thought about it. Some stranger posted my video on YouTube, and the Producers from Sweden saw it and they invited me to come there and sing some demos. Though it was really a big opportunity, i didn’t even think about me being recognized after that. I went to Sweden and recorded some songs. Stayed for like a week and went back home. After that, as expected, nothing happened to me. I waited for how many months. And i lost hope again. 2007, i met the guy who posted my video, Dave Duenas is the name. And we’re friends now. One time, a Big show in Korea emailed my friend Dave and told him they want me to be on their show. We were so happy but we never thought any lucky chance. I went there with my mom. And the Koreans went Ga-ga over my performance and i got recognized in Korea. But still, i couldn’t believe that they really knew who i was. Not until Ellen DeGeneres saw my video and invited me on her show. That was such an amazing experience. My mom and i were so happy when we first came to Los Angeles. We couldn’t believe it! I got standing ovation on Ellen’s show and she gave me an iPod. One night i talked to God, and was thanking him.. Realized that he was not sleeping. LOL.
The next morning, someone called my mom, since we weren’t good in speaking English at that time, my mom didn’t understand what were they saying, so i grabbed the phone and talked to them. They asked me if i’m Charice. “Yes!” with an excited expression. Now i couldn’t move when they told me that Oprah Winfrey wants me to be on her show. Oprah is my favorite talk show host! We flew in to Chicago and performed there. Got standing ovation and Oprah cried.
I woke up early with a smile on my face. We were going back to the Philippines in a few hours! We went straight to the airport, checked in and went to the gate. Finally we were on board. But we got nervous when the two policemen got in the plane and asked for Raquel Pempengco, my mom. We didn’t know what to do. We just raised our hands. They told us to get out in the plane, and so we did. They asked my mom if my mom’s working for HARPO. She said No. They asked me if i’m special or famous or whatever; i said No. They asked me a one liner question. “Then why Oprah wants to see you?” I got chills! But my mom was crying and asked me, “Did you break the doll of Oprah?” I said definitely No! The Policemen guided us going to the car waiting outside the airport going back to the Harpo studio. We were thinking what’s gonna happen.
Then we made it to the Harpo. The staff told us to go to the conference room. We went there and ate some snacks. Then someone opened the door and said hi to me. It was Oprah. She sat in front me and talked to me. I told her the story of my life. And i told her that i’m losing hope. But she told me to stop and let her talk. She told me the most amazing words ever. “Don’t lose hope, i promise you, something big will happen.” Mom and i cried. We felt it. That was it. The chance we’re waiting for so long. Oprah gave us something we could use on our way back to the Philippines.
My mom was still shocked when we got back to the Philippines. While me, i was looking for my “Dream Journal Drawing Book.” I love to draw. this is my drawing book with celebrities inside singing with me. I was telling myself that i could send it to Oprah. And i did. My mom did.
A few days later, Oprah’s crew called me and they told me to go to New York for some interviews and stuff. We went there and met the other people of Oprah. I was sitting while they were trying to set up the camera. Few minutes passed. Someone was calling. I can’t answer it but they told me to pick up the phone. So i did. A big voice talked looking for… me. It was Andrea Bocelli and invited me to be part of his Birthday Party. I cried. And i remembered that my 1st page on my dream journal was to have a duet with Andrea Bocelli. I thought that Oprah was making my dreams come true. After Andrea Bocelli, Oprah Invited me again on her show. I sang the first song that i’ve learned. And it’s a Celine Dion song, My Heart Will Go On. After the song, Oprah talked and told the people that a working mother with a seven year old son was watching via satellite. I looked back to see Celine Dion. She invited me on her concert at Madison Sq Garden. And she wanted to dedicate the song for my mom. Celine and I sang together in front of 20,000 people watching. I didn’t know what to think by that time. I just gave my best. And the 20,000 people gave a standing ovation for us.
The people who watched the concert uploaded the video Duo on YouTube and reached 4 million views. It was the happiest! After all these, i met my other favorite singers, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and it was all in my DREAM JOURNAL DRAWING BOOK. Thanks to Oprah.
After those big Gigs, we went back to the Philippines, never thinking that now every person in Manila knows me. I was like, “This is my dream. finally.” Got a lot of guestings on T.V and everything. But still, My family and I always have time to bond.
Last night, before i went to sleep, I talked to someone. Felt sorry in the first place that i was blaming Him. But very Thankful that He did those things to me. You know, Losing hope. He gave a gift for me to use it not only for me, family, but for all the People. Use it to inspire everyone. Now everyone’s asking me, “Where did that voice came from?” Well i guess there is only one answer.
And it’s a Gift From Him.
